The Wolf Who Loved Her Read Online Free Page A

“You all must trust me.”
    “Why not bring her here to protect?”
    He growled. “She refuses to leave her blasted shop.”
    A rumble of laughter erupted in the circle. Ian sucked in a patient breath, already knowing the perpetuator.
    “Don’t tell us our great Alpha has finally found a mate. A human one at that.”
    Ian eyed Zachary, the wolf who loved to tease. Tousles of silver hair danced around the man’s face.
    “Never mind that.”
    “Come on, Ianlick, give us all of the raunchy details.”
    “Zachary.” Sending the man a pointed stare, he shifted his attention back to the group. “Garth, form a search party. I want those lunatics found. Soon. The rest of you will keep an eye on Joni.” He gave them directions to her place.
    Sabrina, his blood sister, suddenly stepped into the clearing. “Is it true? Is she your mate?”
    “The hell if I know, Brina!”
    His pack laughed at his reaction. He wanted to ring every one of their bloody necks.
    “Could it be possible?”
    “Ian, with a human?”
    “Thought he’d get with that cute weregirl from Chicago.”
    “The one with the Jersey hair?”
    “No way!”
    Ian snarled dangerously. Even as head of his advertising company, where most of them worked, they still sought to tease him to no end. Usually he didn’t mind, but Joni’s recent attack made him edgier than normal.
    “Cease your talk,” he whispered, eyes flashing bright. “I am tired of listening to it. This woman needs our protection and we are going to give it to her.”
    They lowered their heads in submission. “Of course, Alpha, we were just having a laugh.”
    “You push me too far.”
    “We apologize, Alpha.”
    “Don’t do it again—not in this case.”
    They all nodded solemnly. Reassured that his pack understood the gravity of the situation, he shifted into his wolf form and raced back to the house, Joni on his mind.
     
    ****
     
    Days later, Joni peered at Ian through her bookstore window. He stood in the parking lot across the street, next to a sleek black convertible, watching her. He’d been guarding her shop for five days now, non-stop. After the incident, he’d hire a cleaning company to help her tidy the store, had ordered new books for her store online. He’d even installed top of the line security cameras and double pad-locked doors, even though she told him she wasn’t going to be able to pay him back. Arms crossed, she rolled her eyes. He was the kind of man who didn’t take no for an answer.
    When Trichelle stopped by a few days ago in the middle of the night, he’d scared her half to death, lurking in the shadows like the boogeyman. Trichelle had been so stunned that she’d excused herself only to call later for details.
    “Girl, what’s with the bodyguard?”
    “It’s a long story.”
    “Well, you better get up on that because that man is fine.”
    “It’s not like that.” Joni had contemplated whether she should tell Trichelle the full story, but decided against it. Her friend didn’t handle conflict well. Telling her that werewolves existed would be an open invitation to the loony bin. “He’s just helping me out with the store right now.”
    Trichelle humphed. “Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
    Joni chuckled. “It’s the truth.”
    “Mmmhmm.”
    “Look, girl, I gotta go.”
    “Yeah, I know where you gotta go . Just remember to wear some silky underwear when ya’ll finally do it. Not those tired ass granny panties you love!”
    “Bye, Trichelle!”
    Thinking about her friend, Joni glared at Ian through the windowpane. Decked out in brown slacks and a matching jacket, he looked as handsome as always, with sexy wind-blown hair. A small grin curved his lips as she met his gaze. She stuck out her tongue, wanting to bait him in some small insignificant way. He winked. Feeling foolish, she returned to the front register and seriously contemplated throwing a book at his head.
    A part of her wanted to march over there to tell him to cut the